Populous Selected to Design Louisiana Tech University Athletic Center

(Sept. 28, 2012) – Louisiana Tech University has announced that it has selected Populous, a sports design and architecture firm headquartered in Kansas City, along with local architecture firm TBA Studios headquartered in Monroe, La., to design an addition to the Wyly Athletic Center. The Athletic Center will serve as a multipurpose facility in conjunction with Joe Aillet Stadium.

“Providing access to superior facilities and resources will aid Louisiana Tech in their recruiting efforts while creating a better quality of life for the University’s student-athletes,” said Ryan Sickman, Populous Associate Principal. “As the design process begins for the athletic center, addressing the evolving needs of student-athletes at the university while providing a multi-purpose entertainment facility will be two of the top priorities. Populous has extensive experience with designing and executing state-of-the-art training facilities, both for professional teams and in the collegiate market, and we are confident that the facility developed for Louisiana Tech will be an integral step in the University’s quest for continued athletic and academic excellence.”

The athletic center is slated to include a sports medicine facility, strength and conditioning complex, locker rooms, an athlete lounge, equipment room, weight room, lobby and an academic suite for student athletes. In addition, added office space for coaches, athletic administration and external affairs as well as a hall of fame are included in the initial plan.

Populous anticipates that design will be completed by mid-2013 and the team will break ground by later the same year. The firm was contracted to develop a preliminary study for the facility in 2009 for the University, which provided design concepts and estimates for the athletic center.

“Louisiana Tech is excited to continue our work with Populous as the lead architect for the new athletic center,” said Bruce Van De Velde, Director of Athletics at Louisiana Tech. This project will address many of the needs of all of our sports programs, improve recruiting, and generate new revenue for the athletic department. When completed it will elevate our entire program and will help us continue great momentum as we enter Conference USA in 2013.”

With offices around the globe, including Kansas City and Denver, Populous is a global architecture firm that specializes in arenas, stadiums, ballparks and convention centers. The firm has completed work for more than 130 colleges and universities on projects including football stadiums, arenas, ballparks, training facilities and athletic master plans.